Lincoln’s Funeral Named Illinois’ Most Unforgettable Moment

Abraham Lincoln's death and funeral were the most unforgettable moments in Illinois history as chosen by voters at IllinoisTop200.

However, coming in at #2 on the list is a much, much happier event:

The Chicago Cubs winning the 2016 World Series!

For those unfamiliar with the IllinoisTop200, the Top 200 project allowed Illinoisans to vote on the state’s most inspiring leaders, greatest inventions, top businesses and much more. By choosing a top 10 in 20 different categories, voters produced a list of the 200 most amazing things about Illinois, just in time for the state’s 200th birthday on December 3rd.

According to IllinoisTop200,

Lincoln’s 1865 assassination shocked the whole country, but the loss was especially painful in his home state. Hundreds of thousands of people filed by his casket when he lay in state in Chicago and Springfield. Others lined up alongside railroad tracks to see the car carrying his body to its final resting place in Springfield.

 

Here are the top 5 most unforgettable Illinois moments as chosen by online voting:

1. Mourning Lincoln – Nobody knew Abraham Lincoln better than his fellow Illinoisans. When he was killed, the state went into mourning and then welcomed him back to rest forever in Springfield’s Oak Ridge Cemetery.
2. Victorious Cubs – When the Cubs finally managed to win a World Series, much of the state went wild. Millions (just how many millions is a subject of debate) lined the parade route or gathered at Grant Park for the official celebration.
3. Ending Slavery –President Lincoln and his congressional allies passed the 13th Amendment on Jan. 31, 1865. The very next day, Illinois became the first state to ratify the amendment, which officially ended slavery.
4. Lewis and Clark – The Lewis and Clark expedition began from a base in Illinois. The explorers spent the winter of 1803-4 near Wood River, where they prepared their troops and equipment, and then started west on May 14, 1804.
5. Lincoln-Douglas Debates – When Lincoln faced Stephen Douglas in an 1858 Senate race, they held seven debates around the state. The debates put Lincoln on the path to the White House and set a new standard for political discourse.

Click here to see the rest of Illinois' unforgettable moments.